ArticlePloS one2021
The use of complementary and alternative medicine among hypertensive and type 2 diabetic patients in Western Jamaica: A mixed methods study.
Article in PloS one, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
15 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 37 citations in OpenAlex.
- Safety classification of herbal medicine use among hypertensive patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2024Pooled it
- Orally consumed ginger and human health: an umbrella review.The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2022Pooled it
- Associations Between Demographic Characteristics, and Diabetes-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Clinical Parameters in People With Diabetes Attending Eye Clinics in Trinidad and Tobago: A Cross-Sectional Study.Health science reports · 2026Article
- COVID-19 pandemic and the management of type-2 diabetes mellitus among women in Fiji: concerns and context specific interventions.Frontiers in clinical diabetes and healthcare · 2026Article
- Prevalence, Forms, and Factors Associated With the Use of Herbal Medicine Among Adults Diagnosed With Hypertension at Naguru Regional Referral Hospital: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of tropical medicine · 2025Article
- Review
- Barriers to accessing care for cardiometabolic disorders in Malawi: partners as a source of resilience for people living with HIV.International journal for equity in health · 2024Article
- Natural products for managing metabolic syndrome: a scoping review.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2024Article
- Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy preparing your target using psychohistoriography: a Jamaican perspective.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2023Article
- Article
- Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Prostate Cancer among African Americans, African Immigrants and Caribbean Immigrants.Journal of community health · 2022Article
- Traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) usage and its association with Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) among individuals with metabolic syndrome in primary care.BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2022Article
- Influence of Jamaican Cultural and Religious Beliefs on Adherence to Pharmacotherapy for Non-Communicable Diseases: A Pharmacovigilance Perspective.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2022Article
- Experiences of Patients on Natural Herbal Treatments for Diabetes Mellitus at the Diabetes Clinic in Base Hospital - Matara, Sri Lanka.Journal of patient experience · 2021Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundThe simultaneous or intermittent use of alternative treatments and prescription medications for hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus can have adverse health effects.
objectivesTo identify beliefs and practices associated with the use of alternative treatments for hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus among patients.
methodsA mixed-methods study including an investigator-administered survey and focus group discussion sessions using convenience sampling was conducted among patients aged ≥18 years during May to August 2018. Descriptive statistics were used to describe and compare demographic characteristics among groups of survey participants using JMP Pro 14.0. Thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the qualitative data using NVivo.
resultsMost study participants (87-90%) were on prescription medication for their condition. Of survey participants, 69% reported taking their medication as prescribed and 70% felt that prescription medicine was controlling their condition. Almost all participants (98%) reported using alternative treatments, mainly herbal medications, and 73-80% felt that herbal medicines controlled their conditions. One-third believed that herbal medicines are the most effective form of treatment and should always be used instead of prescription medication. However, most participants (85%) did not believe that prescription and herbal treatments should be used simultaneously. Most (76-90%) did not discuss herbal treatments with their healthcare providers. Four themes emerged from the focus group sessions: 1) Simultaneous use of herbal and prescription medicine was perceived to be harmful, 2) Patients did not divulge their use of herbal medicine to healthcare providers, 3) Alternative medicines were perceived to be highly effective, and 4) Religiosity and family elders played key roles in herbal use.
conclusionsThis study provides useful insights into perceptions and use of alternative treatments by patients that can be used by healthcare providers in developing appropriate interventions to encourage proper use of prescription medicines and alternative medicines resulting in improved management of these chronic diseases.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.